THE WAITEMATA DISPUTE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 204, 2 October 1909, Page 2

THE WAITEMATA DISPUTE.

CONFERENCE AT LYTTELTON. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christchurch, Last Night. The crew that was ejected from the steamer Waiteniata arrived at Lyttelton to-day in the company of Mr. W. T. Young, secretary' of the Seamen's Union. They had an interview with Captain J. A. H. Marciel, Superintendent of Mercantile Marine at Lytteltun, and an unofficial conference was he'd to discuss the whole question. The conference took place in the superintendent's room and was attended by Captain Mareicl, Mr. W. T. Young, and the men, who numbered 27. Mr. 0. Laurenson, M.P., at the request of he men, was also present. A reporter presented himself and enquired from Capt. llarcicl whether reporters would be admitted. Captain Marciel said he had 113 objection, and asked the men if they objected to the presence of reporters. Before the men had a chance of making a reply, Mr. Young curtly Interjectel: "We object to the press," and the reporters immediately withdrew. The conference, which was quite unofficial, lasted fully an hour and the whole trouble was fully discussed. It was finally determined before taking any further steps to endeavor if possible to settle the question by conciliation. With this object in view communication wis opened with the Union Company and the district manager entered into consultation with tlie company's head office at Dunedin.

THE UNION COMPANY'S EXPLANATION. Dunedin, Last Night. In connection with the discharge of the Waitenvata's crw at Newcastle, the Union Com]fliny -states that when it was decided to despatch the vessel to Manila the men wen? informed that they could remain on her and proceed to Manila at foreign-going rates of pay. As alternatives, they were offered the opportunity of transhipping to tho W'hangape, then lying at Sydney and which it was intended to put into commission ngaiu, or free passages hack to Lyttelton.